Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi
Life is crazy, lol, and, well, likely over the next few weeks I'll be posting when I catch the chance. And I thought I'd go back to routine after Christmas ...hahahahaha.... Anyway, we're looking at the words 'Heart/ Hearts' through the Bible and we have reached 1 Kings.
The nation of Israel reached a peak of glory in the early years of Solomon that arguably has not been reached by any kingdom on earth since, allowing for the technology of the day. One of the first things he did was to build the temple for which his father had been collecting materials. It took seven years to complete, and chapter 8 records the consecration of the temple, in which Solomon stood before the people and made a short introductory speech, summarizing the events leading to that day, including David's heart for a house for God:
"My father David had it in his heart to build a temple for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel. But the LORD said to my father David, 'Because it was in your heart to build a temple for my Name, you did well to have this in your heart.' " 1 Kings 8:17-18; 'Heart' is Strong's H 3824, lebab, which we have seen repeatedly as we have gone along.
After Solomon's words to the people, he stood before the altar and prayed a prayer of praise, dedication, and supplication, in which he mentions 'heart/hearts' in his petition:
"When famine or plague comes to the land, or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers, or when an enemy besieges them in any of their cities, whatever disaster or disease may come, and when a prayer or plea is made by any of your people Israel -- each one aware of the afflictions of his own heart, and spreading out his hands towards this temple -- then hear from heaven, our dwelling place. Forgive and act; deal with each man according to all he does, since you know his heart (for you alone know the hearts of all men), so that they will fear you all the time they live in the land you gave our fathers." -- 1 Kings 8:38-40; 'Heart/ hearts' is, again, Strong's H 3824.
"When they sin against you -- for there is no one who does not sin-- and you become angry with them and give them over to the enemy, who takes them captive to his own land, far away or near; and if they have a change of heart in the land where they are held captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their conquerors and say, 'We have sinned, we have done wrong, we have acted wickedly'; and if they turn back to you with all their heart and soul in the land of their enemies who took them captive, and pray to you toward the land you gave their fathers, toward the city you have chosen and the temple I have built for your Name; then hear from heaven, your dwelling place, hear their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause." -- 1 Kings 8:46-49; 'Heart' in verse 47 is Strong's H 3820, leb, which we have also seen used repeatedly, but 'Heart' in verse 48 is H 3824 again. I think I have mentioned it before, but 3820 is actually a variant form of 3824, according to the Etymology listed in the link. The usage and definitions are very, very similar; I simply am not educated enough to see what must be a fine line of distinction between them.
After Solomon's prayer, there were sacrifices and celebrations for a full two weeks. Then
On the following day he [Solomon] sent the people away. They blessed the king and then went home, joyful and glad in heart for all the good things the LORD had done for his servant David and his people Israel. -- 1 Kings 8:66; 'heart' is H 3820 again.
After the temple was completed and dedicated, God appeared to Solomon again, as he had at Gibeon (i.e., in a dream - see 1 Kings 3:5) and renewed the covenant.
The LORD said to him: "I have heard the prayer and plea you have made before me; I have consecrated this temple, which you have built, by putting my Name there forever. My eyes and heart will always be there. As for you, if you walk before me integrity of heart and uprightness, as David your father did, and do all I command and observe my decrees and laws, I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever, as I promised David your father when I said, 'You shall never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.' " -- 1 Kings 9:3-5 - God's heart, in verse 3, is H 3820; Solomon's heart, in verse 4, is H 3824. Again, same word, slightly different form.
The splendor of Solomon's court and the building program he initiated, the income he had, the reputation of his wisdom all spread to cause an African queen to undertake a visit to see for herself if what she had heard was true; she exclaimed that she hadn't heard even half of the truth.
King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth. The whole world sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart. -- 1 Kings 10: 23-24; 'Heart' is H 3820.
Over and over again we see 'heart' referring to the seat of feeling, emotion, thought, understanding. It is the place of pure devotion...or twisted ambition. When the heart has been dedicated to following God, his deliverance and blessing follow. If it is turned away from God...to anything else...not so good things follow. But God sees the heart. He knows what's REALLY there. We might be able to fool other people, we may even deceive ourselves, but God sees the truth. The REAL truth. A heart that messes up and repents is always accepted.
A heart that is determined to serve oneself...well, that's the next installment.
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